Any good fibro specialists in Charlotte, NC?

[shells17]

Hi,

I just moved to Charlotte and I am desperately seeking a GREAT fibromyalgia specialist. I need someone who thoroughly understands fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and other illnesses that are connected to it. I have been diagnosed with fibro, chronic fatigue, hashimoto's disease, IBS, inactive ebstein-barr, and HHV-6 and need a doctor that can understand these and help address all of them if possible. I have yet to find a doctor or even a group of doctors that has successfully been able to help me and I am sick of living with pain, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and flare-ups of random and seemingly disconnected symptoms! Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am only 23 years old, and have had recurring (and often debilitating) health problems since I was twelve. I am tired, frustrated, and desperate!

Thank you so much,
Michelle

[shells17]

Hi,

Thanks again for all of your help! I love this community and it is helping feel a lot better about everything! Can you tell me more about the pathogen/viral killing treatments? I don't know if I am familiar with that approach....

My neurologist has just prescribed me Lyrica, and frankly I am kind of afraid to take it! I have looked at the threads on here about it and it seems like it reeks havoc on everyone instead of helping. Do you think it is worth trying?

Also - do you have any advice on maintaining an exercise routine? I always start off well, but usually about 2-3 weeks in I get a bad flare up and stop for a month or longer before I feel the energy to start exercising again. However, I do think that I tend to overdo it - I used to be an athlete and whenever I start to workout it is like my body remembers what it used to do and pushes itself to do it again. Meh! Any suggestions?

Thanks so much!

[PlateletGal]

P.S. ~ I also take supplements... most of them recommended by my Endocrinologist:

ACTYL Carnitine
B12 Complex (I purchase it in liquid form)
magnesium
D-Ribose
COQ10
omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils or flax seed oil)

[PlateletGal]

You are very welcome ! Personally, I prefer the pathogen / viral killing treatments and am making progress (slowly, but surely) with Dr. Jernigan's natural formulas (that address bacterial and viral infections).

[shells17]

Thanks so much for your help! I have started to look over the health pages and there is a lot of great info!

[shells17]

Thanks, Deb!

I did find his clinic online, and I really want to see him. However, he charges $381/hr and the first appointment alone is 2-3 hours long. Plus, that doesn't count all the labs that I would most likely have to get, too. My insurance may cover the labs, but not the visit. I just don't have the money right now as I am working on paying off medical bills from a period when I was on really poor insurance. However, I do hope that in 6 months to a year's time that I will be able to afford a visit. I know that he is world renown, but $1,000 for an office visit is a bit extreme! Let me know if you end up visiting him, too. It is so hard, because obviously health is something that it is worth spending your money on. However, part of me is scared, because I have seen fibro docs in the past, including one at the fibro and fatigue center in Seattle, that didn't help me much. It ended up being money down the drain, for the most part. Although, from what I have heard it seems like Dr. Lapp would be worth the investment!

Good Luck to you, too!

Thanks,
Michelle

[tireddeb]

You may definitely want to check out Dr. Lapp at the Hunter-Hopkins Center.  Here is the web site:  http://www.drlapp.net/

He is world-renowned.  As a matter of fact, I have a dear friend who lives in New York and her CFIDS doc recommended that I see him.  I will be honest and tell you that I have put it off, as I have a host of other medical problems that I am trying to work through.  Dr. Lapp will be my next stop on the road to figuring out what is wrong with me.  

If you do go, could you keep us updated and let me know how you like the clinic?

Good luck!
Deb

[PlateletGal]

Also, here is a link to our health pages. We list various treatments and other important information for both fibro and CFIDS:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=39

[PlateletGal]

Welcome to MedHelp ! To answer your question, you may want to consider googling, "Co Cure's Good Doctor List".  If that doesn't work, feel free to send me a note (just click on my nic) and I can send you another link.

Best,

~PlateletGal